NBA Closes Josh Giddey Investigation On Allegations of Underage Relationship
The NBA has closed its investigation of Josh Giddey according to ESPN reporter Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Oklahoma City Thunder guard was being probed by the police and the NBA for allegedly being in an inappropriate relationship with a girl who was supposedly a minor at the time. An incriminating video, which showed a shirtless Giddey standing behind a woman, first surfaced on social media in late November.
The post has since been deleted and the social media account deactivated.
It opened Giddy—one of the high-profile athletes in Australia—to public scrutiny. While the NBA followed suit with its investigation, the organization claimed it was taking a back seat and placing its trust in the police.
“So you have an allegation, you have an ongoing criminal investigation. That impacts how the players and the Player’s Association can work with us because, of course, the player needs to protect his rights,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver shared.
“I’m not going to say never ever, but this is the path we have consistently followed… that’s where things currently stand,” he continued.
Well, it has since been revealed that the Australian basketball star is not being charged.
“After a thorough and exhaustive examination, we have completed our investigation into information that was circulating on social media involving Josh Giddey,” a spokesperson for the Newport Beach Police told Fox News Digital on January 18.
“Our detectives have reviewed all of the available information and were unable to corroborate any criminal activity related to Mr. Giddey,” police explained.
The NBA has come to a similar conclusion.
The 21-year-old was not suspended during the police inquiry.
“Available to play. Will play. No change in status from a basketball standpoint,” the head coach Mark Daigneault explained at the time. “Still, I have no comment on anything else. Just with the information that we have at this point, that’s the decision that we’ve made. It’s really not even a decision, to be honest with you,” he declared.
While Giddy performed well in the 2023 to 2024 season, his experience was far from pleasant.
Boomers coach Brian Goorjia recalled one incident where “The ball was passed into Josh and it was like the whole stadium [was booing]—it was like wow and this goes on the whole time while behind me there were really spiteful catcalls.”
“We had the chance to chat to Josh in the tunnel post-game, and I’ve seen the villain role before, seen plenty of booing in Australian sport, but this was on another level and some staff from the team said it has been worse in other cities,” he added.
Goorjia publicly supported Giddey throughout the investigation.
“He is a young man and (we) are part of his development. We have a responsibility, and I do, to develop him as a human being,” he shared with AAP.
The star talked about the mental toll, saying there are “days where you don’t feel like getting out of bed.” However, he claims that staying on the team has cheered him up and kept him on the right path.
“I’m really lucky to have good people around me. They really care and really are there for you and there’s definitely been days and stretches this year that have been tough,” the athlete admitted.
The Oklahoma City Thunder was ahead of schedule this season, finishing in the top four in offensive and defensive efficiency. However, since they lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the second round, they have been eliminated from the NBA playoffs.
